5.11 Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt

The new ‘Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt’ from 5.11 sees a return to 100% cotton canvas instead of ‘technical’ fabrics and is proving comfortable, durable, strong, practical and functional.

I personally prefer natural fibres for wearing next to the skin, as they seem to breathe better and to generate less odour than synthetics, while proving simpler to wash – and they look good as they age!

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The Expedition has vertical access ‘concealed document pockets’, a patent design of 5.11 shirts, which cover the whole chest area, and these are topped by large and useful chest pockets with Velcro-closed flaps that incorporate pen slots. There is also a dedicated twin pen pocket on the upper left sleeve.

Unlike the 5.11 Tactical shirt (which the Expedition is bound to be compared to), the sleeves do not have elbow reinforcement, nor do they have straps to hold rolled sleeves in place, but do have buttoned, deep plackets and twin position buttoned cuffs. The Expedition has a classic collar (without point buttons) and buttoned full front opening, while the shoulders have a classic double yoke above a plain back. There are vent eyelets in the reinforced armpits for when things get warm.

The Expedition shirt has an ‘updated fit’, which is a little narrower in the body and a little longer in the sleeve than the Tactical shirt. This may suit many, but meant that I had to take a size larger than before – despite the fact that I have been losing weight.

I find the 5.11 Expedition long sleeve shirt to be another winner with the build quality, fabric and features to make it ideal for wear in bushcrafting activities, yet not looking out of place on the high street.